My cocker spaniel is experiencing really bad ear infections. She does not seem to be in as much pain as before, however her ears are full of puss daily and the smell is unbearable. I clean them with an ear solution. I have used antibiotic pills and ointments. Nothing seems to work. What is the experience with the surgery and how much should I expect to pay for it?

Chronic ear infections are often a sign of a food allery. I would suggest a change in food to something with totally different proteins and also grain free. Supplements such as coconut oil and probiotics are also very useful in combating chronic infections. If you can tell us what you regularly feed we can probably provide a few good suggestions for an alternate.

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I agree with exploring food allergy aspect but would also like to stress the use of a probiotic. It may be a persistent yeast infection or yeast allergy. I use Bio-K but there are lots out there on the market. When your dog normalizes you could use a plain, unsweetened yoghurt but for now you want the heavy duty bacteria parts per volume that you will only get in a probiotic.

Chronic ear infections are often a sign of a food allery. I would suggest a change in food to something with totally different proteins and also grain free. Supplements such as coconut oil and probiotics are also very useful in combating chronic infections. If you can tell us what you regularly feed we can probably provide a few good suggestions for an alternate.

I agree and would also recommend a grain free dog food and supplementing with the coconut oil. Make sure the coconut oil says "organic extra virgin" on the label.

Chronic ear infections are also a symptom of hypothyroidism which would require getting a blood test done at your vet.

I'd try to explore every possible option you are offered before you do surgery. The one I am assuming you are referring to pretty much closes the ear canal and renders the dog deaf. If it comes to there being absolutely no way to fix this, do what you need to do. But I'd switch food, allergy test if need be, and hit specialists before going for the surgery.

Take your dog to a vet. Antibiotic pills should only be prescribed by a vet, after a check-up. Your dog may also have a temperature. Are you able to buy them without a prescription? I don't know if this breed is prone to chronic ear-infections, because of its long ears? Ask your vet.

If these infections are caused by yeast, you can use 1/2 apple cider vinegar to 1/2 warm water and use to clean the ears. Sounds like it also could be caused by the long eared conformation of the Cocker, where yeast like to flourish in the warm moist ear of a drop eared dog. IMO, you should take pup to the vet, perhaps she needs a round of antibiotics and an ear flush. The ACV solution has worked with my Bullmastiff, also a change in diet to a grain free, I'm not sure which is making the difference...but I'm not changing anything! Also, getting some air into the ear canal might help. You might want to devise a way to tie those long ears up for part of the day...hopefully she won't mind and will tolerate that!

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“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi

Hi!
We have a cocker spaniel who has only had problems with ear infection before she came to live with us. At 5 months she had only eaten a popular commercial brand of food and always had terribly infected ears.

First thing we did was get her a good ear cleaning at a groomer. On the way home we picked up Colloidal Silver and gave her a 7 day treatment (the bottel calls for 14 days but there was no need in her case). We gave her this treatment orally for 7 days and cleaned her ears religiously.

At the same time we switched her food to a Fresh Raw diet.

She has NEVER had any troubles with her ears since...in the past 3 months I have only cleaned her ears once and only because I wanted to freshen her up...Her ears are clean as a whistle and free of infection.

dogs with long ears are prone to ear infections they get ther ear in their food try the appropraie bowls for dogs with long ears or tie them back when she feeds
the old fashioned way of clearing ear infections always worked sulfer powder into the ear canal but you probably cant get that now.
i had drops of some description for a dog they seemed to work probebly liquid antibiotic.

My cocker is just over a year old. We've been fighting an infection in his left ear for what seems like the entire year. Every time we get it cleared up with antibiotics and a steroid, it comes back.

Finally the vet suggested it might be due to a food allergy. We switched him off Purina onto a vegetarian food, and I clear his ears religiously usiing a brew of alcohol, iodine, boric acid, and vinegar.

The yeast odor and goo seems to have mostly gone away, but today he was shivering again, probably due to pain -- so it's back to the vet tomorrow.

His left ear canal is barely visible if at all, and only reappears after a few days on a steroid.

I am pretty sure this is a food allergy, as he started scratching his ear and rear over the past few days. My vet sasid "ears and rears" are the telltale sign of a food allergy.

My questions are:
* What foods are safest for a dog with a potential food allergy?
* What probiotics are recommended here (would appreciate specific recommendations)?

I really do not want to get his ear canal removed if I don't have to, but the vet is already floating that idea.

What are the ingredients in the food you are currently feeding? Grains can be just as common a culprit as some of the common meats, so can soy.

To do an elimination diet, you should pick a good quality food that contains things you likely haven't fed your dog before. Wellness has 2 foods for allergies, one with duck, the other venison. I feel meat is further down the list than I'd want to see, but it could be a starting place to see if there is any improvement.

Hi!
We have a cocker spaniel who has only had problems with ear infection before she came to live with us. At 5 months she had only eaten a popular commercial brand of food and always had terribly infected ears.

At the same time we switched her food to a Fresh Raw diet.

She has NEVER had any troubles with her ears since...in the past 3 months I have only cleaned her ears once and only because I wanted to freshen her up...Her ears are clean as a whistle and free of infection.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

I also had problems with ear infections with both cockers. We also have switched to a raw diet and not only are their ears better (and don't smell) but their teeth are plaque free. It was the best thing we have ever done.

Raw is literally uncooked. There is prey model and BARF. If you are interested you can read more on this forum's food section of google. My two american cockers are doing well on BARF with a little bit of Orijen kibble in busy toys.

I am new here, and at my wits end, have a sweet 6 yr old female cocker, has had major ear infections for the past 4 yrs, and getting worse, now she has one, and it has effected her mouth, and jaw, having alot of pain, can hardly open her mouth, bad skin issues also, vet gave malaseb shampoo, did some tests, and put her on keflex pills, and another one, but she has to have surgery, dont have the funds, anyone know of any org that can help? now her ear flaps literally are visable larger, and heavier.. these infections are getting worse, tryed every food, now she is on a food called brothers complete.. please, any advice?

What state do you live in ? Have your tried looking on line for a vet clinic online? Here is one for the Humane Society , you should call them and see if they can help you . Dogs that have long floppy ears do get ears infections easy and their ears need to kept clean and dry . Does your dog get baths a lot or swim a lot? If so you need to made sure the ears are dried out after
being in the wate.

I dealt with chronic ear infections with my Mastiff Buddy He had surgery also and it corrected one ear but the damage to his other was too extensive and he would develop ear infections frequently. I was given this from someone who had the same problem it works and is inexpensive. It cut down the amount of infections he got by half. Let alone the cost but the pain he experienced was heartbreaking. I will say the best antibiotic he got was baytril for them, drops and pills. Here is the link to it I have posted it before and you can get everything at the pharmacy ask the pharmacist for the Genetian Violet.